It's been more than a year and a half since high school football has been played in Central New York. Being out on the field watching players compete literally felt like a breath of fresh air.

Sure, things look different. The referees, cheerleaders, and fans are wearing masks. The number of spectators is limited. You have to open a phone camera to scan a QR code for contact tracing purposes.

With all that being said, the feeling is the same.

The sights and sounds still take you back to the football season of 2019. The hits are still powerful, the hoots and hollers and still loud, and the celebrations are still just as exciting.

On this Friday night, C-NS did a lot of celebrating. They came out on a mission and didn't slow down the entire game in a 35-0 win over Baldwinsville.

When the final horn sounded, the Northstars had blown out B'ville, but this game was so much more than a score. It means there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe even by this fall, things will continue to improve, and football will be back with full stands, sectionals, and state tournaments to look forward to.